stairway moving system

[bc]

Hi, I have a bunch of big, heavy stuff to move up and down the stairs. I can manhandle one end of a refrigerator dolly after renting one but my wife isn't up to holding back the weight or lifting one step at a time.

Anyone have any ideas?

I could try to manufacture some type of 2by or plywood railing system and use a comealong or something but I have an idea that the brain trust here may know an easier way. Maybe some type of jacking system or lever that will pry up and take one step at a time.

I have a set of those forearm straps for moving big and light items but my wife couldn't handle one end. I've got furniture dollys and have something similar to the nylon sheets used by carpet layers for moving big stuff but those don't work on stairs. Thanks.

 

[Bill Longstreet]

you can rent a stair climing dolly. we have used them to take out old boilers.

Bill

 

[Errin OH]

Rent a couple teenagers and pay cash.........

 

[Gun guru]

Go to the local high skool and get 2 big punk kids from the football team and pay them in cash and maybe a case of beer and they will get it done for you. (or find a big burly women for your wife instead)

 

[showcrop]

Tell where you are and maybe someone from here could come and help.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I had the same problem and called Two Men & A Truck moving company. Told them what I wanted to do and they sent over two big weighlifting types who made it look easy. They could pick up under one arm what two of me couldn't even budge. Money well spent.

 

[Polish Mike]

I vote with Bill Longstreet....Stair climbing hand truck... They work well.

 

[brokenot]

Watch some of the videos on this site.....quite fascinating. Make stairs look effortless.

http://www.track-o.com/Stairclimber-Hand-Truck

8)

 

[camju]

If you have a outside door ajasent to the stair well it is easy(if it's a basement.I nailed together 2X4's and plywood on top.tied a rope to the furnature mover and used the winch on my quad.But as others said probably cheaper to pay a couple of football players.

 

[bc]

Thanks so far. I looked at a bunch of those stair climbing videos and piano moving videos. They give me some ideaa for adding on some wheels to the big rubber tire dollies I have now. Then maybe add a foot or hand lever.

I didn't see a stair climber down at the rental place the last time I got one. However they would work for a refrigerator but not something long like a chest freezer. Right now I have this big old 55" projection tv that weighs a ton. We have a new lcd one and either the old one goes to the basement or on craigslist. It works good but just has dimmed down a little which would be just fine for the basement. I got a big, heavy pin ball machine to move as well. And a stair climber won't work for a pool table. Not so heavy things like mattresses will slide down.

I've done the college kid routine, drive down to the dorm and see who wants to make a few bucks. Did it myself in years past. Not worth it when I want to move one thing at a time. I can get the neighbors easier but then get em out to the farm or to my daughter's apartment in Lawrence, Kansas is a different story. She changes 2nd & 3rd story apartments every year or two it seems like.

Thanks for the offer of help. I've found my back and shoulders aren't what they used to be.

 

[bc]

Thanks. My house and the farm has a door to the garage or the outside. Got plenty of wood but no quad and winch. I was thinking of some type of railing system with a comealong or rope hoist. For the price of a couple football players, I could buy a cheapy harbor freight winch. Four 2by4s and a sheet of plywood would make my ramp. Then add some 2bys at the top to mount a winch or puller on. 20 bucks worth of lumber. I'll wait see if someone comes up with a better idea.

 

[camju]

If there's room you can hook the truck or garden tractor to it.Just need one person to guid it if you tie it well.

 

[Ralph, Ohio]

My son made the following elevator system to carry plywood & shingles to the roof of his house. I think it would work if you laid the ladder on the stairs. Take an approx 20 ft. extension ladder to use for the rails. Build a simple plywood carriage that slides on the rails. Attach a 12 V winch to the bottom end of the ladder with the cable running up & thru a pulley at the top of the ladder and back down to the carriage. A winch with a long remote control cable will let you follow the load up the stairs to help balance etc.

If I was smart enough to attach a photo I'd do it.

 

[Chris (WA)]

A friend bought a worn out electric forklift( bad battery and tires.) that the lift was still good and set it on a pad outside his shop. He runs it with a heavy battery charger. Make a heck of a good shop elevator.